Comparison of Single-Use Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy (sNPWT) and Standard Dressings Applied to the Same Patient During Bilateral Tissue Expander-to-Implant Exchanges

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The number of cases is increasing among young women, and consequently, breast reconstructions are performed more often. Postoperative complications, wound healing, and the quality of scars influence the final cosmetic outcomes. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of using a negative-pressure therapy compared to a standard dressing on two postoperative wounds in the same woman, after bilateral tissue expander replacement surgery—when identical healing conditions occur. Methods: This study includes a single-center evaluation of the application of two different dressings during bilateral exchanges of tissue expanders with breast implants. The study included 22 patients with a history of breast cancer after bilateral mastectomy with two-stage reconstruction. During the second stage, a sNPWT was applied to one breast and a standard dressing to the other. Results: A statistically significant difference in skin elasticity in favor of sNPWT was visible after 7 days, while the greatest difference was visible in the evaluation after 6 months (mean of 0.806 vs. 0.607). A difference in temperature measurements was shown 7 days after the procedure. However, after 30 days, these measurements were similar. There was also a reduced incidence of postoperative complications as well as seroma accumulation in the breasts with negative pressure. Conclusions: The results indicate faster healing, better scar quality, and improved skin elasticity in breasts with sNPWT compared to the standard dressing. The number of postoperative complications were also reduced, which is especially important in high-risk patients.